Bethel and Bill Johnson’s Bridge to the New Age and Spiritual Fakery.
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- Опубліковано 29 січ 2023
- I have been wanting to make this video for quite a while. It's based on the teaching in the book The Physics of Heaven, which is very much a "Bethel book". It is sold in their bookstore, it's endorsed by their leaders, it's written by people from Bethel, including their two lead pastors, Bill Johnson and Beni Johnson. The book is a very open appeal to Christians to embrace New Age beliefs and practices. I truly wish I was exaggerating.
In today's video I'm going to share quotes from the book to demonstrate the problems with it's teachings and show it's dangers. I'll address the way they misuse Scripture to support these teachings. I'll also be sharing content from a physicist who has weighed in to demonstrate how fake the "science" of the book is. Finally, I'll share some shocking details about the deceptions in the book related to the supposed credentials of the "quantum physicist" who they lean on as an expert. Spoiler, he's not.
Bethel Church in Redding California has presented itself to the worldwide body of Christ as a guide for deeper and more miraculous spiritual experiences. Since they have such a wide impact and reach and their teachings on these issues are, I am sad to say, not only reckless but dangerous and unbiblical, I feel this video is worth making.
A physicist reviews the wacky science claims in The Physics of Heaven. Special thanks to Dr. Martin Krause for providing this analysis for free. biblethinker.org/wp-content/u...
Do you want my notes from today's video? Here they are, with all book references. biblethinker.org/wp-content/u...
My video showing that James Goll (used a a source in the book) pretended to prophesy while just reporting commonly held political speculation. • The Newspaper Prophet
My original video on Bill Johnson and Bethel Church's theology and practice. I would be harsher today though I will leave this video up because I believe it has a good analysis of problems. • Bill Johnson's Theolog...
“This is what the Lord of armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They tell a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 23:16 NASB2020
You reminded me of this:
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
1 John 4:1 NIV
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves."
2 Peter 2:1 NIV
"“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Matthew 7:15 NIV
I feel like from that alone it is super clear.
And thanks Mike for educating us and helping us all to be more informed!
To paraphrase. "Avoid."
The Bethel people say that imagination is one key to enlightenment.
Ok. Kind of like the LDS
"Burning of the Breast."
Mathew 7 "depart from me ye accursed" ..... False prophecy false nonsense. Not Christ. False Jesus! They need to repent.
@@tgmccoy1556 Yep and this unrestrained search for “truth” outside of the biblical parameter, reminds me of what LDS prophets have taught about accepting “truth” from whatever source it may come as if being something praiseworthy.
By the grace of God, I was pulled out of this movement. It completely distorts the Word. It's insane. I am genuinely grieved by my error and gullibility falling for this for even a minute. Mike is right on when he says we are prone to stray. God woke me up and pulled me out. I am so thankful for His mercy!
What did God use to wake you up, and give you the motivation to leave?
@@veronicaredeemed Careful examination of His Word. And honestly, the narcissistic personality disorder of the 2 main "directors" of the satellite school I was in briefly. I just observed too many crazy, bizarre antics and contradictions to buy in fully. I tasted it, but ultimately spit it out. It's very new age and deceptive.
@@jcsaves4ever the 1st time I heard Bill Johnson speak I knew he was and is a self centered con man. He grated against the Holy Spirit in me.
Same!
Same here 🥹 I didn’t get involved through Bethel.. but just my own research and ideas.. but it was wrong wrong wrong, just the same.. and like you… I still beat myself up sometimes over having gotten involved at all. I had to be taught by God that there are just some things, as part of the creation, that we are just not meant to know or seek to understand. god gives us what we need in His word… anything else is extra and not for us to know. He is God!… we are not. 🥹 ♥️ that’s what I learned anyway 😅🥹
Thank you for this!!!! I was a psychic medium, and I “opened up my gifts” while trying to develop psychic abilities….while praying to Jesus. (Sooo much more to this story as you can imagine) The devil creeped in, in disguise and took over… I developed extremely accurate psychic abilities, I later had a “vision” (it was a very scary astral projection experience) that a false version of “Jesus” told me to help people with my “gifts” and not to be scared. It led me down a dark path that led a couple thousand people astray more. 💔 finally in June 2021 the Lord thankfully saved me and delivered me of my abilities in prayer when I realized the truth and begged him to take my “gifts” away. It was like in acts 18…a dark force left me I could see with my eyes and my abilities were gone forever. My point is…you CAN open yourself to demonic possession by messing with this stuff if you are not born again and do not have discernment!!!!! The new age is a black hole, if you dabble in it you will fall in…the only thing that can get you out is repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.
Amen, Lizzy Leslie.
I was also saved out of occult/New Age, and everything Mike covered in this video I had (at one time or another, mid to late 1970's) heard channeled by demons (who masqueraded as benevolent masters, even dead Biblical figures), through mediums who trained themselves to contact the spiritual realm using techniques identical to those marketed to Christians under the label, "Contemplative Prayer."
Lighthouse Trails Research has done an excellent job exposing that practice and its proponents.
Thank you for sharing your story!
@ Mike Winger - Interview this lady!!!
+1 this would be a vital interview!
I do think your testimony would be edifying to many. Thank you for sharing. If the Lord wills, I think some kind of interview/conversation on a Christian channel could be great. Maybe Ruslan I think he does such talks
After listening to Bethel teachings for 15 plus years, I am so thankful that at last I am free. Good for you, Pastor Mike
My wife and I left the Bethel movement because of the New Age teaching I was hearing and its implications. When this book came out I read it. It was shocking to me and my wife, especially the authors I knew personally. I immediately took this book and other publications from Bethel and tossed them in the garbage. I also cancelled a Bethel seminar, in which I was a key note speaker.
Sir did you just up and leave after hearing this or did you give an explanation beforehand? It seems shocking to me when you have known people for wuite some time amd then things start shifting.
Great video, Mike. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review these works!
I love Alisa Childers! ❤
Im from Norway too, and I left my previous church because they started on a course based on Bill Johnson's books.. I used to be in new age so I reacted and said that it wasn't good, but no one listened to me.. so the same people getting me out of new age telling me all the dangers, suddenly was learning how to do the same stuff themselves.. I just tried a new church, and had a good time, untill the pastor said something about Bethel and his books, and how much good that is coming from them.. this has really annoied me, and I thought that I might be over reacting and been thinking about this the last couple of days, and then suddenly this came up ❤
In December 2017 my Southern California town was in the path of what at the time was California's worst wildfire ever - the "Thomas Fire". I prayed for God to intercede as a 50-foot wall of flames the length of our town quickly descended toward our home - and with it, our downtown area. My wife and I packed everything we could fit into our car, grabbed our kitten, and sat in the car watching our neighbors also prepare to evacuate. When the wall of flames reached two blocks from us, we drove toward the ocean - and safety. It was midnight.
As we later learned, shortly after we evacuated, the winds suddenly changed direction, pushing the fire through the hills and fields - sparing our home and downtown. Could other Christians have commanded the winds and the fire? I don't know. It's possible - but that kind of individual power (or the belief in it) would likely give people the glory, rather than God.
In my understanding, God heard our prayers, and supernaturally shifted the winds. In the natural, our home and our entire town was "toast", so I credit God in His sovereignty for keeping losses to a minimum. Some of our Christian friends DID lose their homes and all their belongings - but the devastation could've been so much worse.
Do I credit God for the outcome? Absolutely. Do I understand why some homes were destroyed and not others? Not in a million years. That's where trusting in the Lord's ways comes into play. He is God - and we are not.
As an Australian, I am really appreciating being introduced to the technical term "Woo Woo Science"
As an American, so am I
Funny thing is that I have been calling this movement woo woo for years! When I heard Mike use the term, my daughter and I had quite a chuckle. Lol
He kept cracking me up with all his woo woo comments!
Amen to this too.
😂
Being from Norway, it so hard to find a Bible believing church. So hard in fact that I am so isolated and has been disconnected and isolated from the true church just because I will not compromise on the the word of God. It's so hard.......
Praying you find brothers and sisters in Christ to fellowship with.
I'll pray for you! Be encouraged because "No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it." - 1. Corinthians 10:13-15
Praying for you. The Most High knows your exact predicament.
If you can't find a group, just find ONE more faithful. Then you can be faithful together and find another. and another. Then you're your own group.
I am in the United States and believe it or not, it is also difficult to find a Biblical church that actually wants to do life together. I find most churches I've been to, just want to say hi on Sunday or Wednesday and then forget you the rest of the week. It can be very discouraging. I still believe though God will set me in a family of believers. I just have to find them. But while I'm looking I will draw closer to the Lord. I pray for you. I understand your pain.
I began my adult Christian walk in a church heavily influenced by bethel. Strange things began to happen that I knew just weren’t right. I began questioning things and was told by leaders that “we cannot question someone’s experience with the Holy Spirit” when I asked how we knew it was the Holy Spirit they really had no good answer . Something along the lines of “is God not big enough to capture you imagination “ so really nothing was allowed to be questioned because everything was considered to be the Holy Spirit and to question it would be wrong. I left that church and got back into being an alcoholic. Thankfully God restored me again , fully recovered me from 15 years of alcoholism and has brought my heart to a place of desiring his true word and his true works! I feel so grieved for my brothers that are still inside in this church … recently I’ve shown them why their wrong and they told me “Jesus is bigger than a book” I have no words
Check out micha turnbo he is one of their “prophets” he visits heaven a couple times a week, lol
Praise the Lord for the way He opens our hearts to Truth!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
😊
Anyone that refuses to let us question them is not following Jesus. It is a warning every time. Praise the Lord you are safe and free
This must be how you get empaths and enneagrams in Christianity. Satan must not be discounted. He is seductive and cunning and he uses our weakness in faith to plant these weeds.
Please pray for my son and his wife. They are fully immersed in the Bethel Church. Pray that God will strip off the blinders and lead them out of heresy. Thanks.
Thank you Pastor Mike for the video.
I already involved with NAR and Bethel influenced church for 10 years in Indonesia. I was in the prayer department in that church, they taught us some teaching based on this book. In early 2020 during the first wave of pandemic, i started to felt something is wrong with the teaching and i left the department. For the last 3 years i'm studying from many sermons, books and learning how to read the bible with the right context. and that made rethink, reconsider about that church teaching. I know there're some errors about the teaching but i can't sure.
Then i found this channel and this video. Your explanations answered my questions, it's like God makes me find the missing pieces through your explanations.
God bless you, Pastor Mike!
I was once blind now I can see!
Maybe relisten. Mije talks really fast. I can slow my phone's playback.
What did you experience during the 2009 tsunami?
This is the most disturbing and hilarious thing I’ve heard in a long time. It reminds me of the 70’s when I was doing acid and looking for spiritual enlightenment. I encountered a spirit I thought was Jesus who was “telling“ me some of the same things this book is teaching.
Thank you Pastor Mike for exposing this ridiculous, deceptive and frightening movement.
Me too. But hesitant to say so. Tasting colors? Think Bethel has a lab somewhere.
What a trip!
You mean the ridiculous, deceptive and frightening movement called Christianity? 👍
@@SterlingsOpinion too much LDS In the seventies(Capt. Kirk)
When Mike shared Judy's "journey" inside God's "body" ...and Bill Johnson riding in on a "love blood cell" wearing a cowboy hat ...the first thing that came to my mind was that she must be on an LSD trip!
Pastor Mike - please know that the hours and hours of time you must have put into this video are deeply appreciated. God has given you a gift of communicating truths of Biblical theology at a kitchen table level. Thank you for being a blessing to so many.
It's appreciated only to people that think it's necessary to drag others down to make themselves feel better.
Congratulations.
@@Marc-yh1rd no, it’s appreciated by people that want biblical truth.
@@Marc-yh1rd you clearly didn't watch the video, or you'd know that you are completely and entirely wrong. This video is for those who love Jesus and the Bible.
Well said.
Amen Marc! That’s what these “discernment” channels are all about. On top of that they ARE the false teachers!
My brother is a pastor of several churches and he was just invited to Bethel in California. He went, (he's gone for a week) so I am going to send this to him and PRAY! ❤🙏
I’m curious, how did his trip go?
@@TheDJroombaGaming It went well. He had his eyes opened up a bit.
@@alwaysovercomingbear4809 what was his conclusion on Bethel if you don'ot mind me asking?
@@AgapeLove1994 All Nations Church (multiple locations) They are located in the Ottawa Ontario Canada area. 🇨🇦
@@alwaysovercomingbear4809 I remember visiting this church many years back and noting several hyper charismatic things being taught
I attended a church that had a guest speaker, Kathy Walters. She encouraged us to use our imagination to take trips to heaven, and engaged with angels, and such things.
This teaching seemed exciting to me as a baby Christian. But i paid the price: i had a demon enter my body in my sleep one night shortly after the exposure to her teaching.
It took years before i was finally delivered from that demon. While it lived in my body i experienced increased pain in my body, mental dullness and confusion, and other symptoms. It made me sick.
I praise God for the profound encounter i had with Him by His grace when He delivered me from that demon.
I now warn people against these sorts of teachings and practices. They ARE dangerous and you will pay the price for playing around with them.
I remember her speaking such things in the 1990’s. It made her sound super spiritual. She talked about how people were healed in her ministry, but we didn’t actually witness that when she spoke. You had to take her word for it. Pseudo-power.
Mike, thanks so much for this word of warning. I’m a pastor and I will definitely make good use of this informative and well documented teaching with my worship team and my congregation. You’re a blessing bro.
You are the type of pastor every church needs! Thank you for taking care of the Lord’s sheep. Praise Jesus!
Claud, please do what I failed to be able to do (although I tried). Please shepherd and protect the sheep under your charge from this false teaching.
Thankyou for listening to truth and bringing it to your congregations attention. I wish more pastors would do thos. Bless you
Thank you so much! I’ve heard a variety of things about Bethel, but not with clarity as you’ve presented.
Technical note: try setting your webcam to manual focus. The autofocus keeps jumping to your bookshelf.
Yes, he's definitely a blessing to the children of God!
What's even better than the great exposure by Mike is this comment section underneath. All these authentic personal stories that perfectly resonate what Mike is warning us about - that's a home run.
No talk of repentance, sin, salvation or grace. That’s where I question it immediately. But wow, what a crazy and dangerous form of witchcraft and spirituality! Thanks for this video Mike Winger
God is not the author of confusion!!
The creepy part about imagination.... Literally in the Bible it says the battle is in your mind. The mind is the worst thing to rely on. Get the heart right and daily transform and renew your mind.
I had a coworker when I was 18 who loaned me one of these books and I couldn’t put my finger on it but the whole time I was reading the book I was just like “wait. What?!” And I’m pretty sure it was the Holy Spirit going “that’s heresy Patrick” 😂 I couldn’t finish the book because it was so off
And the final result..... -10/10 ? 😋
Awesome Lutheran Satire shout out👍
I understood that reference 🙂
I felt the same way when I was pretty much a new believer and the church I was going to started doing Rick Warrens 40 days of purpose and I was going through that book and something felt off but I couldn’t put my finger on it right away.
I was picking up what you were laying down, Patrick
It took me way too long to realize I needed to listen to that voice inside that was telling me something was off. I would steer clear but I always told myself I was making a big deal out of nothing. Now looking back, I realize it was the Holy Spirit trying to warn me, not just me being paranoid. Now when the alarm goes off, I start researching.
I have dear friends deeply into Bethel Church and I just don't get how they were sucked in. They knew better. Just waiting for a good opportunity to broach a conversation about Bethel. It seems they don't necessarily like to have conversations about it.
Really solid teaching here. Already listened to Melissa Dougherty's podcast. I so appreciate people who can take the time to study these things and break them down for us. Mike always does an excellent job. Thank you.
Late to this video but my mother and I enjoyed it, my father REALLY needs to hear it, anyone willing please pray for him anyone who see's this!
I pray earnestly for souls to turn their hearts to God now, but if they miss the rapture, I pray that they remember the scriptures that they heard and turn to God.
As an ex-pagan, ex-new agey type myself (now a Biblical Christian) this New Age adulteration of God's word turned my stomach to hear. But I'm really grateful that you took on the task and exposed it for the error and deception it is. Thank you for calling it out, Mike.
FYI: Some of us have know this about Bethel and Bill Johnson for decades or since they started to make waves in the christian media. It is the reason many thought you were in error when you first did your review of Bill Johnson by not calling him a heretic.. "The Physics of Heaven" passed through my hands many years ago. It contains so much obvious error, that is seemed anathema. Thanks for your review of it. May God richly bless your ministry.
I'm glad to see that so many Christians weren't overreacting. But we still have to recognize that withholding condemnation is the correct thing to do when we've not seen justification for it ourselves. We can't side with the crowd or take them at their word without evidence. Once we have that evidence, we should speak. Thankfully, that's the process we see at work here.
@@howaboutthisone100 We have friends that still frequent Bethel. They will not listen to any coherent review of what is going on there. All they point to is the "love" and the "presence of God" at the worship service. That is, the emotional experience that well played, well scripted songs produce, something you can experience even at any Bruce Springsteen concert. I lament that so many "Christians" have little to no biblical knowledge. Jesus said, therefore, "having gone, make disciples of all nation, TEACHING them. . . . .TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you." It is like the money analogy. If you handle the word of God, accordingly, as a follower of Christ, it will be very easy to see the counterfeit.
I did do not condemn Bill Johnson. I am reminded of Jesus's words, "leave them alone, if the blind lead the blind will they not both fall into a ditch." It is obvious that Bill is blind. It sounds harsh. However, even in the garden, as naive as Eve and Adam might have been, everyone was responsible for their own actions. Bill will give an account as will all those who follow him. Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blame Eve, however, the serpent was not given any room for an excuse. Yes Mike, may Bill repent. But before he does that, he will need to confess his error.
The Church, and even Mike, would do well to teach the body that we will all have to give a personal account for even our being deceived. It's not like Bibles are in short supply. Or, we are an illiterate people. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. I have been aware for almost 20 + years now, how too many Christians have been looking for something, or some kind of "power" some kind of supper spiritual manifestation of power, be it healing the sick, raising the dead or even becoming rich. For all too many "Christians" the simplicity of devotion to Christ is not enough. It is a sad deception. Read your Bible, better yet study it, or at the very least learn how to comprehend what you read. And may God our Father have mercy on us all, in Christ Jesus.
Hearing Johnson say he was seeing feathers falling….and a bunch of other crazy things was enough that all should have seen he has problems.
@@RobSed55 I'm not sure if you're just elaborating on how bad Bethel is or trying to say that Mike should've condemned them earlier.
The point is that a public teacher (or anyone, really) should never go further than their own knowledge allows. If you personally know more about Bethel than he does, you may be justified in labeling them false teachers. But the rest of us can't do so simply because you do. I don't know you any better than I know Bill Johnson, so I take your words AND his with a grain of salt. Still, I should be slow to label either of you as false Christians until someone has clearly shown me as much.
Of course, once it's been shown, we should obviously agree, as would seem to be the case here. I've had a low opinion of Bethel all along, but I didn't know any more about them than Mike did. I appreciate that he was slow to condemn them without all the facts. I hope we can agree on that too.
IDK about heaven, but I do know that Quantum mechanics underscore all creation with an inherent paradox, what Heisenberg called "uncertainty." This the Calvinist hates.
My husband and I were involved in a Bethel-founded ministry around 15 years ago. It purported to be cutting-edge and radical for Jesus. I became very uncomfortable with the straining after signs and wonders and an absence of preaching the gospel. We were being pressurised to make prophecy the main thing. I began to have warning dreams that there was a spirit of divination at the heart of that particular ministry and we left.
Wow. Good for you!
Glad you listened to the Holy Spirit. We felt too that Jesus was not being glorified but man centered or a different Jesus. We know we are in end times as we see the apostasy being led by So-called Christians. Peace Maranatha
I love the Lord, you were pressurised to prioritise prophecy in an unnatural way, and ironically God gave you true prophecy in the form of a warning dream. I had a very similar dream given to Me, though my testimony is very different.
@@Boysermusic Praise God! He gives more grace when sin around us increases. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound ...as Christian we get lost and the Good Shepherd finds those that love Him but get deceived or stuck. Amen Maranatha Come Lord Jesus 🙏 🙌 ❤️
@@lisaberchtold2248 Lord bless you and Lord be with you
It's hard, but this type of video HAS to be made because lives are at stake. Your analysis here, Mike Winger, is bullet proof. Thank you for stepping up. 👍
I came out of the New Age years ago and am sensitive to scripture twisting and false teaching. I sincerely appreciate that you share your thoughts and accurately handle
the Word because truth nulls every false teaching. Edit: We can use our imagination in a healthy way as we meditate on the Word. We can think on Bible scenes and wonder how the people felt or imagine what it may have been like, but this is meditating on truth.
Agreed. I was slowly drifting towards new age before I was truly saved. And yeah when I hear this stuff or any hyper charismatic things I get very skeptical
Yes, I searched in all the wrong places in the New Age. UNTIL, The Lord Jesus Christ visited me, and gave me a new life in Him, The Way, The Truth, and The Life! Thank You, Jesus!🙌🙏🕊
@@caroljensen6693 It’s a miracle to see that He is Lord! I’m glad you are in the truth!
This is why it is soo important to read the bible and study the word ourselves. I havw run across soo many people that listen to multiple podcast, listen to multiple preachers, but they don't read any of the bible for themselves.
I have my favorite podcasts but as you say I had to cut back and start reading His Word . It helps settle my mind as there is so much info out on web . I pray for discernment when listening and if it doesn’t sound right I pass . I’ve been a Christian for 40 years but had never read the Word for myself from cover to cover . Ashamed of myself . Reading through old and new and learning how awesome our God is through His whole word .
Yesterday today and forever His word does not change .
I know this is completely unrelated and random, but your username is the same as nickname my bosses gave me when I worked for them. 😂 I was a nanny for their kids and the only girl shared the same name as me, so I was called "Big Lauren" which evolved to BL then BLT then BLTweezy then just Tweezy. 😂
Amen
Seeing how easily leaders in my church has been deceived has me reading my Bible more. One person in particular watches "christian" youtube channels and shows all the time. Does praise and worship in the church. She is into new prophecies about American having some kind of promise from God and some great revival. But when I asked her if she has read Ezekiel and Revelation and she said she doesn't know much about that. I told her she really should read what the Word of God tells about the end times. Anyway, seeing how this devoted women is this deceived scared me really. I mean what have I been deceived about? How can I make sure I'm not deceived? I know from what I've witnessed that knowing the word of God is a BIG part in not being deceived. I also pray for decernment and wisdom and that I am not deceived. I pray this regularly because it's so easy to be deceived!
@@Kra-ri6fd There are prophecies from the Asuza Street Revival a bit over a hundred years ago, that in about 100 years there will be a very big revival.
Thank you for speaking so plainly about this. I have been in those prophetic lines. I have been in those circles where people decree and declare things and they don’t occur. It is like a drug because you are always chasing the next anointing, the next mantle, the next level of revelation. When I left, I went through a 2 year detox. It was brutal, but necessary. I left not knowing I was getting course corrected/disciplined. I just left because by faith, I felt The Lord moving us to help our family. And boy did he ever-after he detangled and uprooted so much of my theology. I am so thankful for expository teachings that were a major part of that process.
Yeah, natural light is clear. Menorah light casts shadows. But shekinah light consumes.
PTL!
@@Josephine525 It's a very serious sin to give bogus prophecies and one would certainly need to repent from that, but your experience, while you are the undisputed expert in it, doesn't disallow real prophesies. That's not only logic, it's the experience of many good Pentecostals. Two wrongs (Prosperity Gospel and Calvinistic Cessationism) don't make a right, in theology or anything else.
I'm still detangling
@@Josephine525 Ok, carry on, then. May revelation, mercy, good fruits and all good things abound to you and your household of faith by the fellowship and power of the Gospel through the many graces of the Spirit, according to this simple promise:
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your house."
Thank you for your stellar research and for clarifying your stance on Bethel! I am from Sedona, and yes there are true believers here, To come and listen to the New Age practitioners here and then try to incorporate it into Christian practice is absolutely crazy and dangerous. 🤯
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
As someone who was set free from New Age by Jesus Christ, and used to meditating and visualising, this particular scripture has been very helpful for me.
Pastor Mike. Thank you for the solid Biblical teaching on your channel. Please do not apoligise for lenghty presentations. These deep dives into Scripture are food to the soul. My mother used to say that she loved it when she actually learned something from Bible Studies. By God's grace I am on a continous learning curve through your Bible Studies. Thank you for rightly dividing the Word of God. Robert Fourie, South Africa.
I agree with this very much.
I think it's awesome God has used Mike Winger to reach people even as far away as South Africa. Incredible. God bless, Robert.
Matthew 24:24 "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."
My wife used to go to Jesus Culture and Bethel when she lived in California. She left Christianity for New Age for a while after her prior husband passed from cancer. God moved her to Indiana, she repented of her prior involvement, and slowly started putting her faith back together. She is grateful that God unplugged her but she still knows a few people who teach there.
i used to be a part of Bethel. I'm currently fighting for my life that Jesus would help me to know I truly belong to Him. I don't want this evil. It terrifies me and confuses me as Bethel was in the middle of my walk with Christ, it makes me wonder if I truly came to know Christ if I was able to be misled. Please pray for me! I don't know what is Jesus and what isn't anymore. All I know is that He is Lord and He died for my sins and rose again and that I want to give Him everything. I am praying He has chosen me.
Just read the Word and ask the Spirit to teach you. You'll learn. 🙂
@@michelekelpin7424 thanks. All I know is the law of attraction is a giant lie and it’s twisted to look like Christ. I keep battling lies that it’s all in my mind and I know it’s not. Please pray for clarity and for increased faith for me from Christ 🙏🏻
1John 5:1Everyone who believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring). I am praying for you. John 1:12 12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name- Dig into the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Read Psalm 25 I hope you find it as comforting as I do. Jesus has done it all for our salvation (justification). We just believe & trust. Our salvation (sanctification) is a life long process. Your doubts and fears are not unknown to me and I'd guess other believers. I sincerely hope/trust you will find hope & peace & joy as you continue to place your faith in Jesus and walk with Him. I love the teaching ministry of Calvary Chapels as they teach verse by verse; chapter by chapter; book by book through the Bible. There are some good ones online. I like Calvary Chapel Ontario (Oregon). Pastor Paul.
God will never leave you nor will He forsake you. He never walks away. God is not the author of confusion
He’s saved healed and delivered me I’m walking in the fullness of my identity
Thank you Lord! I just watched your last video on Bethel a couple weeks ago because I was researching their teachings. I came out of the new age trap. I’ve been watching your videos off and on since I first found the Lord four years ago. I first heard what was written in the Bible through your videos before I owned my own bible. I love the way you are always careful to do your research, and that you always test everything against scripture. My heart sunk a little when I heard you say you would fellowship with them. I prayed that the Lord would reveal the truth about Bethel to you and praise God, He was showing you already. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. God bless you Mike! Your ministry holds a special place in my heart. Praise Jesus! 🙌🏽❤️
Thanks for the hard work Mike, truly.
I was a new believer, spent over 10 years in charismatic churches and that finally led me to Bethel’s school of worship.
I then toured nationally and played with some of the biggest names at Bethel (and other affiliate bands)
I’ve now been on a 5 year journey trying to “start over” and begin a foundation for a biblical life of service to Christ.
It’s astounding how much influence that teachers of unhealthy doctrine have amassed in our digital age.
From an ex-professional “charismatic” touring musician I’d like to say thanks. Your content and work helps me learn/follow the Lord and his word one day at a time. May I one day use my gifts again to build HIS kingdom ❤️
Write some good worship songs! WE NEED THEM.
Praise God!
Did you play with Jesse Westwood? It’d be awesome to hear your story on his podcast. Just sayin…😊
@@erindelaney3811 I couldn’t agree more!
@@erindelaney3811 try CityAlight and Jonathan Ogden of Rivers and Robots. Theological rich songs!
@@carlidoepke5131 thank you, I will!!
"Their obsession is the counterfeit"... says it all. Thank you Mike. We who believe and will defend the faith all need to be crystal clear on this topic.
I began to be pulled into this movement in the early 2000s in Australia. After a brother warned me i was clearly led to pray "Lord, i dont want to be deceived, please show me if i am". We were outa there within a few months. that pastor abandoned that fellowship, moved to USA to get closer to it all.
You became a Roman Catholic after this experience?
@@davidjanbaz7728 no, my husband ran a home fellowship at our group with other believers who came out from them. For around 6 years, then we cautiously found a group we call our home among Church of Christ Australia.
This is what can happen when you accept all kinds of manifestations that cannot be supported by Scripture or Church history. If we cannot clearly show how something is backed by Scripture we have no sure way of saying it is of God. Thanks Mike for doing this video, so important that the Church sees these errors.
What proof of God is in the scriptures? Other than the manipulation of stories that were born elsewhere about other beings we humans bent a knee to and thus gods were born in our history.
These interpretation of the meaning of said scriptures don't feel right to the ear, nor do they feel right to the soul and you all know what I'm talking about. But because the sheep have been programed not to wander outside the pen (and the church's violent history proves that) the sheep regurgitates weak explanations and view points that are based in trust to an organization that has proven untrustworthy. If your message is love then plugging swords and daggers into "his" children isn't a convincing argument
I'm only 31 minutes into this but I'm completely shocked. This "let's examine the new age to extract the truths" is the exact kind of attitude I used to have. My husband kept telling me I shouldnt have been listening to the stuff I was, but I thought I was strong enough not to be deceived. I ended up denouncing my faith and fully joining new age beliefs. It was by the grace of God that I was delivered through hearing someone's testimony online. I actually felt the "vails" get torn off my eyes. I suddenly saw that everything I had been doing to believed was all from demonic doctrine and deception. I immediately stopped all new age practices and have never looked back. I'm so thankful the Lord delivered me. I now see all the scriptures that warns us from doing such things. This is absolutely crazy to me bc my church just had bill Johnston as a guest speaker and all my friends love him and his books.
Praising God that He revealed the Truth to you, Jaclyn! And praying for your friends who are still trapped in this deception to have their eyes opened and to be set free.❤
I love this. I actually also had a similar experiences after hearing someone else’s testimony online and feeling like scales fell from my eyes. So wild! God is so good.
I wasn't surprised at all but only due to the fact I've heard their doctrines of demons many weeks ago. The Wild at Heart , mens crew, LOVES using Bethel church as well.
Same here
I’m just watching this now, and so thankful for people like you who call this out. I left my former church because God opened my eyes to the stuff they were teaching. They followed Bethel and Bill Johnson among numerous others from that camp. I cannot believe looking back now that I accepted some of this stuff. It’s insane. And this book is just takes it to an even bigger level! It needs to be called out and people need to be made aware.
Mike,
I grew up reformed baptist. Didn't believe in tongues or drunk in the spirit or hardly any of this stuff. One day i went to hear a missonary at an AOG church. I came in skeptical thought he was false. But i had dreamed the night before something, and his sermon lined up with my dream. In my dream i had walked up to this man and recieved something. So i took this as God was telling me to have him pray for me. I went up after service and asked him to pray for me telling him my story. As he was praying i could not hardly stand up i almost fell over and i felt as if i was drunk stumbling around for a little bit after being prayed for. I went home and for about 2 weeks had so much patience for my 3 kids and even led 2 youngest to Christ. Shared Jesus story with them just felt compelled. I did not speak in tongues and at that time wasnt sure of it still. I did not try to fall or stumble on the contrary i did all i could to hold myself up even the man praying for me did all he could to hold me up. Im a big guy. 350lbs. I know for a fact something happened to me on that day. That was more than my imagination or my expectations. 1 of 2 things happened the Spirit of God moved on me or the Spirit of the devil did. What say you?
The spirit of god leads you to change for the good. To live holy. Continue to seek the spirit you will speak in tongues when you are filled, it is the sign of new birth.
God can move on people this way and it be real. There are some genuine people who have these experiences. It’s just sad that there are so many fakes out there that people say none of it is real.
The fruits of the Spirit don't come without the Holy Spirit. And God brings to nothing the wisdom of the wise. I think God prefers children to adults who think they know everything when they actually know next to nothing. We should build a house of solid doctrine, but it should not be a tomb of our own ideas.
I used to be a bank teller, and what Mike is saying here about counterfeit money is so true! We had to learn the look and feel of REAL money in order to recognize the fake. The Holy Bible is the REAL source of true doctrine for us.
@@Charles.Wright 😄🤭
Same here, I was a bank teller while in college. As a teller, you handle money so much that when you hit a counterfeit, your whole body goes "NOPE. That doesn't feel right". Coincidentally, you and I have very similar names, I'm "Helena Hamilton", 😂
@Helen Hilton Who compiled and canonized the Bible Christians pretend to follow?
So true. I feel sorry for those who fell for this but I’m struggling to understand how on earth they believed it. Every ounce of being is screaming this isn’t right. Nurture phronema. Go to church. Read scripture. Read the church fathers. Do this and you won’t be deceived.
If studying the real rather than the counterfeit will produce a knowledge of what is correct, then listening to you is no different than listening to Bill.... for only those who are already in your camp are the ones who concur. But nice argument to help people think that they aren't already brainwashed! The only way to know the truth is to study the way the truth and the life.... 1 John 2:20,27
I went to a bssm satellite school at my church. They taught all this and said that all this new age stuff was always ours and we are taking it back from the new age.leaders set up booths at the new age events in the community and basically faked being new age to infiltrate the events to pray for people. I always thought it was so bizarre and off since I'd come out of the new age. I did 2 full years of the bssm satellite school, and the whole time, I questioned everything. My pastor never answered me when I'd say I don't think this is for us...there is so much that doesn't make sense..... But They love Bill and Bethel and have been to their leadership conferences and watch Bill all the time and quote him. They refuse to listen to anything negative said about anyone at bethel about Bethel. They gaslight anyone who doesn't agree and they make you out to be religious. I had to stop attending as they then started incorporating the passion translation into the sermons, and I could no longer stand by and allow them to teach my Young adult kids this nonsense. The way bethel works is if you go against them, then they make you out to be the one in the wrong. It's disgusting.
I went to a BSSM satellite school as well. Darn near shipwrecked my faith and other people in my family. So thankful God opened my eyes and pulled me out!
My wife has family going to the Atlanta Bethel church so we visited with her sister. The first thing the guy said when starting there service was if you don't know who Bill Johnson is what are you doing here. I got up and left. I had a bad feeling before he was even starting so it didn't take much for me to leave
I too attended a BSSM satellite in Olympia, WA. I still can’t believe I was sucked in. 32 years in a Pentecostal/Charismatic persuasion, now 6 years in a solid Bible preaching Calvary Chapel. So many friends have moved to Redding to immerse themselves, not in the scriptures, but in Bill Johnson. So sad!😥
Sometimes a fake is good because it's close to the real thing. You seem to know the fake, but I'm not sure you know what exactly makes it wrong. That is, what is the real power of God?
Me too. I didn't attend the bssm as I was concerned about what I was witnessing. When I voiced my issues, it was made clear that I was not welcome to stay.
1:08:54 geology student here: this is the most insane take I’ve heard on geology to date
Edit: I think there’s a very important point to think about: the most effective deceptions take objective truths and twist them, which is doubly why we shouldn’t go looking for the truth in the lies. Trying to find those twisted truths (I think) can make us more prone to being deceived. Other false denominations/churches do that slight twisting of truth
Edit pt 2: the deception honestly makes me think of the insanity of the oneness pentecostal church I went to with a friend once
Thank you for this. I never had so much fun listening to a serious podcast like this. I can laugh because I used to be like this (not through Bethel but explored a lot of new age teachings & have had some friends and acquaintances who are still into this stuff). When you read it, it all sounds so ridiculous. It's also so sad that people are missing the mark so badly. It is a reminder to pray for these people that I've lost touch with.
I can’t tel you how incredibly helpful it is that you include your notes. I was feeling sorta panicky because I can’t just sit and listen and take notes from your videos like a seminar but to know that I have all the quotes and Bible references available to me helps me to just really focus on what you say without worrying about recording. So THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Pastor Mike thanks for bringing this to the body of Christ!!!! I pray those that are involved in this would truly come to repentance!!!
Itchy ears. People follow what attracts them.
@@joinjen3854 You got some spiritual benadryl. What's the solution, JJ.
@@nicholasgeorge7825 solution is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People make up stuff for power and control. Lots of people dying suddenly all over the world.
Amen!
@@snuggisthecute Behold the log in your own eye, surf dog Blue. Did you pray your judgment through or just assume that Mike is right, because he argues well? "As many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God."
Thank you Pastor Mike for speaking the truth regarding Bethel and this book. My daughter did a year at the Bethel school of ministry. She was unable to financially afford a second year which I am very thankful. ✝️ 1:56:24
God was protecting her.
@@SterlingsOpinion my kids and many I know went there and all love the Lord with their whole hearts. Bethel is not perfect ... no church is. They do love God.
@Lynda Kennedy I love their music. Really don't listen to music that much however surprised at how many good songs they have.
@@lyndakennedy3925 their false teachings bring their love of God into question. And loving God is not an excuse for twisting the Scripture, and leading people astray.
@@yndsu thier prayer room has a star of Ishtar (babylon) on the carpet under a masonic alter and above on the roof is an Egyptian pyramid which the Lord emphatically says in Micah 6 He led His children OUT of Egypt
oh my gosh! I was a banker, and immediately recognized the error of "studying" the counterfeit to find the authentic. That is SO wrong! Focus on the Lord Jesus and His Spirit will guide us as we study His revealed Word. Thank you, Mike, for this video.
Bethel´s influence is all over the place here in Norway, and our young ones are being sent to BSSM by the plenty (one is one too many). I have been sharing my concern about their new age woo woo (fancy the lingo) for over a decade, but often to closed ears. Thanks for your efforts brother! Apreciate it and pray and hope that people watching it has their eyes opened 🙏🏼
From Norway too. I tried to confront some of my friends with this, but tend to get a very emotional response, and it seems like they frame me as "religious". I wish there was a way to get through to them. Unfortunately they are not the kind of people who would watch a 2 hour book analysis.
I think it's everywhere. Where I live (which is not far from Mike winger) it's either extremely progressive places, bethel nonsense, or very strict hyper conservative places (those are few and far between). It's really nuts.
praying for people in your country Jorn :(
Hei , from Tønsberg, being saved from Hinduism and from religious practises, it was a shock at present when i moved to Norway to see the influence of strange doctrines in many churches, but happy to see you God is giving discernment.
@@skyscraperphilosopher8476 🙏🙂
I can only imagine how difficult this research was for you to do, Pastor Mike.
Thank you. This is necessary for the Body to be aware of.
Completely agree. I’m shocked more churches are not talking about the deception of New Age mysticism
Thank you so much for explaining all of this. I was raised in this type of environment where my dad was the preacher. When my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, my dad accused me of failing to heal her because I didn’t have enough belief. When my dad moved out of the country to focus on missions, I attended James River Assembly for 12 years.
I continually felt that I was failing my walk with God because I couldn’t attain God’s healing for my daughter. She was in remission, but “plagued”with paralysis on the left side.
It was a grueling 12 years. Finally something made me think that God made my daughter exactly the way that he wanted her, and that he chose to allow her to be disabled. I was fighting his will every time that I demanded healing.
That changed everything for me. It was the catalyst that caused me to leave that church and opened my eyes to the problems. Now, I have absolute peace in my daughter’s condition. I can see her for the perfection that she is in God’s eyes, and “Your will be done.” is my constant prayer.
I never believed that walking with God could be this easy.
About 2 years ago, I posted teachings showing the errors of New Age being taught by Bethel. I received a lot of backlash from Christians rebuking me for exposing these teachings from the book you are sharing from. Thank you so much for your review on this subject. Hopefully, they will repent and leave these New Age teachings.
Would it be possible to know where your postings are for learning purposes? Respectfully
Mike, I’ve watched you and loved your channel for a few years now, and your humility and grace in addressing misinterpretation and risky teachings has always been a hallmark of your character that my family and I appreciate. When you come right out and are this blunt about the dangers of such teachings, I know there is a serious issue being addressed. Thank you for your attention and devotion to God’s True Word.
Thank you so much for making this video. An elder at my previous church loved this book, and responded of any of my objections to it saying that “God just hasn’t opened your mind up enough yet”. I’m very grateful to have access to this video to share with the many people I know who are caught up in this!
glad it was your previous church
Opening your mind up sounds new age in and of itself. I pray that God opens His eyes to the truth.
I’ve been there. I left. At one prayer meeting my elder told us to close our eyes and imagine while a soft music played. He also told when I confronted him about new apostles and prophets, he told me that I don’t have the Holy Spirit in me. He also had padded so many books endorsed by Bethel in the past. I was blessed when pastors and teacher on line opened my eyes. So thank you and God Bless. By the way I don’t have a physical church but my church but 9n line 🙏🏻🇨🇦
Hi Mike. Firstly thanks for all you do and here is another great talk.
I too am a charismatic living in the uk and my family and I left our former non denominational charismatic fellowship right around the time of the Lakeland debacle. Main reason was one of our elders was being influenced by the bethel movement. Even then their ideas rang alarm bells with me. And even then they were into some new-age practices. Our elder invited a bethel accredited youth worker into our church. I went into one of her sessions to find her teaching our kids to empty their minds and picture a tv screen and that whatever appeared on that screen was a prophetic image straight from God. I challenged her and she told me I was possessed by a demon of antagonism. And also that I should be prepared to look for God in the same way I eat fish. Swallowing the meat and spitting out the bones!!! Rather like your quote from the book of extracting the precious!!
Same old age old new age eh.
Sola Scriptura. This is what happens when you don't believe the Scripture is sufficient.. Sad what is happening especially with the deception. I just want to say thank you Mike for your videos, recently was going through Exodus and your videos on Jesus in the Old Testament has opened my eyes! The way you connect the New Testament back to the Old Testament and vice versa has helped me alot in Exodus! Thank you so much ! Praise God for your ministry through UA-cam!
Amen🙏
michael park Evangeliclowns don't know what sola scriptura is. Who compiled and canonized your Bible?
Thank you for sharing. We have two daughters wrapped up in a branch of Bethal. They have separated themselves from our family. We have 8 children and they speak to no one. I was told as mom I had a demon. Their behavior has shredded our hearts.
I’m sorry to hear that❤ keep them in prayer
There is such worry in my heart as I pray for two of my pastors that at this moment at a healing seminar at Bethel. I have vaguely dug into Bethel before this…but now I am digging in deep. Prayers that discernment of truth hits them and what they are listening to are lies. Our God is a God of order. He never works in chaos; hHe quells chaos. Jesus asked the 4,000+ and 5,000+ to sit in groups before He feeds them. He calls for order; He knows chaos Will ensue if He does not bring order before hand. Where ever there is chaos is not of God. The fire tunnel and what ensues afterwards is nothing but pure chaos.
Thank you. I confronted some of these false teachings in a church I attended as they morphed more and more over a 2 year period. They were not willing to admit this garbage was not Biblical truth. So sad how prevalent this is in many churches.
Oh dear brother. I know this was difficult for you to do. Many years ago I listened to Bill Johnson,etc. Loved him so much. I tried to make excuses for him and others wanting to believe the best or as they say I would “eat the grape and spit out the seed”. However as I saw and heard him inch closer and closer to accepting new age practices I had to shout from the rooftop warnings to all I knew who followed him and others and the music. Music is used as such a tunnel ever seducing the listener to follow “The Pied Piper”. I believe this came into the church along with the Jesus movement long ago that I was also swept up in after my hippie days. I know we all want to be radical for Jesus and hip and cool for Jesus at the same time. But the snare of the enemy is cunning indeed and he has certainly been setting this up for years…. seeking whom he may devour. It was painful for me to toss out books from Bethel and forsake what is being taught there …and admit I had been drawn in for a time but now I constantly sound the alarm. Unfortunately many love their music and continue to listen to the sermons & teachings.
I, too, was under this type of teaching. All the way in South Africa.
As i was walking in nature, sitting on a rock cliff, there, an image of a lion running towards me(imagine narnia lion) from below the cliff I was sitting on jumping up towards me. I was thinking to myself that this was the lion of Judah, what a powerful moment.
As this moment was unraveling, as one could expect(very sarcastic), the lion offered me a cigarette. It was at this point that I knew that I was being deceived!
Praise God, His faithful love endures forever.
He will not let His sheep stray; His faithful love endures forever.
I hope this can help someone
Yes, this stuff goes down the whole real quick.
They say- "There is something missing in our (christian) lives that we need to find somewhere else". God's word says- "...His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him... by these... precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature...2 Peter 1:3-4.
EVERYTHING WE NEED IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE- HIS DIVINE WORD. Woe to those who "...causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble..." Matt 18:6.
Pastor Mike, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your videos. People like you and Allan Parr have helped communicate sound doctrine to me as I am being pulled away from extreme oneness Pentecostalism
Excellent teaching and very sound & well balanced Biblically. New Age practices are creeping into Christianity everywhere and it’s sooooo subtle. May God open the eyes of His people to see what they’ve embraced and judge ALL things by God’s Word correctly interpreted. I’m what people would call Pentecostal and used to be a member of a Pentecostal Word of Faith church years ago. It truly became just another form of legalism. It bought death and pain into many born again Christian’s lives (mine included) and to Churches. The Church I was a part of 45 years ago moved to a different state and we didn’t follow. I was told years later it broke up. These were born again Christians that I’m talking about and I’m glad you highlighted in your teaching that Bethel would contain saved Christians! But like us, they have become deceived and follow men/women instead of the Bible.
It took me many years to rid myself of the imbalances and error and legalism I learnt. I did learn good lessons too on how to walk by faith which I still carry with me today.
Being part of a Church where I live (Victoria Australia) is a scary thing because of New Age, Word of Faith, and worldliness or they just plain dead, has crept into the Churches here. I just stay home these days and listen to teaching like this via the internet and read my Bible.
Thanks this was a very informative video on the dangers of Bethel and that book.
🙏🏻🇨🇦💞
Thank you for exposing this dangerous stuff. As a Pentecostal believer, I long for the genuine moving of the Holy Spirit and the activity of the spiritual gifts and balance with scripture. This is not that! Run to God’s word, Rhonda, his presence, and run away from this nonsense.
Thanks. GOD bless You❤
wow... I had a friend disappear and jet off to Redding, CA to go to that school. I haven't seen her in a few years... It was crazy, she started raving about this amazing church, quit her job, stopped talking to family and friends... I need to pray for her... I was suspicious of it at first, but I had no idea it was this bad.
I've left this movement. Our church, at the time, was part of RAIN (Bill Johnson in leadership). At one conference, at a RAIN church in Minnesota, we were told to go to the graves of our ancestors, because their angels werw waiting at the tomb, bearing gifts that haven't been received, yet, to this family. Grave Sucklng.
I remember having CDs from David VanKeuvering (soelling?) We had a house fire and lost everything: pets, books, cds, etc. The refining fire returned me to sound thinking.
Thank you for bringing this message to us! We need to return to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Mike, super job. I could see you fighting back the tears at stages, I live and work as a pastor in Norway and most youth churches are going down the bethel route, they desire programs of entertaining Vs enteRtraining.... stayed up until 01.00 to watch this, have tried to warn so many, even close friends reject me and say who am I to judge .......was praying for you this morning and all of us that see this danger. Lets raise the Gospel high.
Amen
Sadly, many professing Christians are willfully Biblically illiterate and, therefore, lack discernment. The "Do not judge" claptrap is just one example of their illiteracy.
I have family that grew up in a traditional Baptist church. In fact, pretty much most of my family and they have all have all fallen away to the charismatic, word of faith, and new apostolic reformation, belief system, and frankly, my heart is greatly burdened over this. I have family that have gone to the Bethel school of supernatural ministries and have come out and are ordained both husband and wife as pastors who also have their own school of Ministry now. It is heartbreaking to me and I really just do not know what to do. Other than pray. thank you so much for your video, it took a lot of research and investigation on your part to present this information. I covet your prayers for my family. 🙏😢
People value entertainment an “experience” over reverent worship. Reverent does not mean dull. It can be as joyful, if not more so, because of God’s Glory. It does not require mysticism.
Once a traditional believer experiences the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it’s really hard to go back. As my husband says it’s the difference between sexual intimacy and just holding hands. Grasping the authority and power that the believer can operate in through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is life-changing. That reality pulled me out of the New Age movement, and I was in deep. I was looking for a Faith that actually worked in every day life and not just on paper. I was looking for the God of the Bible, and not just the seemingly passive God I met in religious churches. So I have to credit the charismatic movement with delivering me from the New Age movement, entirely. God led me to a pastoral couple who had been working with people involved in cults previously, and they were a huge help in delivering me from the demons I had open myself up to, as well as religious demons I acquired in the Seventh-day Adventist church. Bethel is not all wrong. We must cherish the biblical standards of healing and deliverance, and not throw everything out just because some people are idolizing power and experience. Because of my involvement in the New Age movement, I have been concerned about Bethel for a while, but we must keep in mind that there is a Biblical way to walk in the gifts, presence, experience and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to use and seek discernment. We must hold onto the Word of God and test everything. Demons mimic the work of the Holy Spirit easily, even in healing and prophecy. The slave girl following Paul around is a perfect example, but Paul did not condemn the gift of prophecy because a demonized slave girl was prophesying accurately by an evil spirit. He discerned the source and dealt with it by breaking the power of the evil spirit to deceive through her, but that very gift of discernment that he operated in and the power to cast the demon out was a manifestation of gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit to address the powers of darkness when we are called to do so by the Holy Spirit, as the apostles were that day.
Nothing about Bethel is good or truth, if you explore a little you will fall in.
Avoid it like the plague 😢
@@ValerieJungck 💯 Wonderful comment.
Would you be willing to share the names of that couple, whose ministry helped you?
@@ValerieJungckI think you assume far too much. I was a trapped Charismatic for 25 years. I finally realized I had never witnessed a single proved healing.
WOF preachers even lie about being healed. They say faith is greater than reality.
Benny Hinn the jacket waving people slaying showman is a fraud.
Kenneth Copeland holds egregious services pretending the power of the Holy Spirit is present but he's unable to demonstrate it.
The only miracles they consistently perform is making money fly.
The Toronto blessing fiasco is sickening.
Here's one for you look up Hobart Freeman.
Don't mention the poisonous snake dancers in the south.
Kenneth Hagin's uncontrolled laughter for a church service is sacrilege.
Excellent analogy of everything. I am glad you believe in all the miracles and the gifts of the the Holy Spirit. It makes it even better to listen to your discernment on everything they are saying in the book. I was raised Assemblies of God. I actually had to confront a home church that said they read the satanic Bible as well as the Holy Bible, and this would make them more aware of how to fight the enemy. They claimed to have special insights no one else had. Back then God showed me they were actually a New Age church disguising themselves as Christians in a home church setting. I had a good friend that was entangled and deceived in their church. I fasted and prayed and asked God to show me what to do. One word God gave me I remember, was the scripture, “What does light have to do with darkness”. God gave me lots of scriptures and words of wisdom back then. My friend that was entangled still believed they were okay. I told the pastor and my friend on how I didn’t agree with their teachings. I even wrote a letter explaining what God had shown me. The pastor actually excommunicated me from the church. I did all this for the sake of my friend. Finally 2 months later she called me and told me I was right. Praise God! What a crazy time that was. I am glad I went through all of that because it was training on seeking God and not going through the darkness to try to understand the light. No I went straight to God through Jesus and Jesus helped me all the way. Seeking Jesus with your whole heart is what we all need to do whenever we need help. What does light have to do with darkness? Never in the Kingdom of God! Praise His Holy Name!
Do we underatand how invaluable men of God, like Pastor Mike, are to us when they are reading all of these books (I just can't) & telling us what's in them & pointing out the snares? How grateful I am for this! ❤❤
As someone who was once in these sort of teachings, yes, it does take years and years to unlearn and heal from. I am still suffering the side effects and hyper vigilance of having come out of these teachings in late 2019.
It breaks my heart to see and hear so many falling for it.
You are in the position to help others steer clear or come out of it. With the guidance of The Holy Spirit, of course.
@@honeydew4576 yep. I post often on my fb page.
Here in Norway, many churches are influenced by these teachings, kindly give few words that we could share and help them to understand the biblical truth
@@ragulr2484 sticking to the word in complete context is what essentially makes most of the false teachings fall apart.
Nancy, sorry that I encouraged you to be a part of that church. Liberty had a little but my next 3 churches were definitely entrenched in that doctrine. At a better balanced church now but still has a lot of Word Faith elements but thankfully not Bethel or Bill Johnson.
Thanks Pastor Mike. My family and I were under Bethel's influence for so many years. I believed so many lies back then. We're so thankful that God opened our eyes and showed us His truth!!!
Thank you for doing this. It was hard to watch as my heart breaks especially for new and vulnerable Christian’s caught up in this.
2Thessalonians 2:10 ‘He will enable him to deceive in all kinds of wicked ways, those headed for destruction because they would not receive the love of the truth’
All the truth. Genesis to revelation. May we hear the warning of the scriptural prophets for ourselves and the church. It wasn’t just for Israel alone but for us.
‘If it’s new, it’s not true. If it’s true, it’s not new’
Keep at it Mike!
I recently went to a Bethel women’s retreat in Indiana, I had no idea the controversy around this church. They made us get into small groups and practice “giving words” to people in the small groups with our eyes closed. The speaker, Connie jones, was there. She had a “prophetess” who would on command give prophetic words to people. Very strange. I won’t be going back and I’m scared to say I did go at all!!!
Where in IN?
@@ruthgaines314 Valparaiso
I went to BSSM for three years, and definitely can see what you’re communicating. Hard to hear, but it’s good.
Also, to everyone this is an opportunity to pray, there are some of the most legit people at bethel, and I’ve had some of the most touching, beautiful moments with the Lord there. This isn’t a moment to hate bethel, but to pray for them and that they come to repentance. Deceived people don’t know they are deceived.
amen and I totally agree. pray for them!
Yes we need to pray! Appreciate this comment ❤️
I have been strongly in favour of many of the core charismatic/Pentecostal teachings from Bethel. I watched many hours of Bill Johnson’s and Kris Vallotton’s teaching and of Danny Silk’s. I have read books by these men too and I find nothing disturbing in those writings.
However the more mystical stuff and some of the practices around that I think is much more speculative and could easily lead to self deception and ultimately spiritual deception. I am not a fan of anything esoteric and believe that accusations you just don’t understand the secret knowledge yet, sound exactly like gnostic heresy.
I believe that Bill Johnson is a wonderful servant of Jesus and is always eager to give the glory to God for answered prayer. He is I think a very generous hearted man who is very reluctant to bad mouth other believers. This is s strength and laudable but perhaps can also be a weakness in that he tends to see the best in people and take them at face value. I like him for that but I see a problem when some of the more speculative stuff starts to become a new kind of orthodoxy.
So yes I think we need to pray for Bill and his associates and congregation that they will realign themselves once again with their roots which are actually good.
I realise that some of you would have problems with Bethel even if it wasn’t for this “new age” sounding stuff. But I am not of that mind, however I think too much attention is given to this woman’s teaching and that alone will bring a distortion to the whole movement.
I went for 2 years and I agree.
It’s sad to read so many of these comments from people who seem to believe they’re doing work for the Lord, when in reality a lot of what I’m reading comes across as highly self righteous.
I have a cousin who pastors a church near me and he has gone into this hook, line and sinker. I left the church because I felt God telling me to get out! You have answered every question I had about the church. I am going to pray for a awakening for him.
I will pray too. All of this teaching is demonic word salad! “Don’t fear the counterfeit:” we can see where that is heading.
Pray for him, but also challenge him. Get him to think about the theology that backs it up.
Thankyou Brother Mike on you sound exegesis on the counterfeit
Please never stop proclaiming the truth of God's precious Word
Willie Metzler
The foundational issue, I believe, is the dissatisfaction many Christians feel with their faith journey. We want heaven now, and don't want to suffer either for our testimony, or through the process of sanctification. But God allows us to deeply feel the void in our hearts so that He will become our everything. Instead we run to quick fixes and experiences that ignite our senses and capture our imaginations. Daily obedience to Christ is intentionally mundane because our Lord is growing us in patience, longsuffering, and faithfulness.
Great video! Thanks Mike!
Also, I think when encountering stuff like this, the big question that was begging to be asked was WHY? Rather than asking “Couldn’t God do this?” (Because Yes, duh, God can do anything He wants to), but they failed to ask “What purpose might God have in doing this?” To which they don’t have a good answer. The Bible shows us that no more revelation from God is needed. To what purpose are these visits to Heaven serving? They don’t seem to give God glory, as they focus too much on the own people’s “power,” they aren’t exalting Jesus, they aren’t being used to bring unbelievers into the Kingdom, they aren’t santicfying anyone as far as I can tell, or helping anyone live more like Jesus is holiness. So what’s the point? Just to “experience God?” I don’t have to make a “trip” to Heaven to do that- I experience God every day because the Holy Spirit lives in me. They seem to forget that the powers and abilities to do miracles that the apostles had served a purpose- it showed unbelievers the power of God and helped them believe. It gave strength to the Apostles authority as Jesus’s messengers. This group doesn’t seem to be trying to use these supposed “powers” for the same purpose. Sad that no one stopped Judy and had her think through the “why.” I pray for their deliverance from this evil and their repentance.
"I decided to explore the New Age for anything precious that may be extracted from the worthless." Well that tells me all I need to know right there! If that's not a giant red flag, I don't know what is!
@ 24 minutes.
...and look what they found......Aladdins Lamp.
That makes sense since Jenn Johnson compares the Holy Spirit to the “blue genie”
@@carolynelkins1483 Yep, I've heard her say that and immediately CRINGED! If you really listen to her messages, she has zero gospel in them.
Thanks again for another video centered on Bethel and the Johnsons, I have had a few friends over the years attend BSSM and recall the Physics book mentioned was a part of the required reading and wow. Just wow. I only recalled hearing the positives of being there such as the community of people, healings, how people need to be open to Bill Johnson’s great teachings, etc. Never had a full picture of how the New Age infiltrates their beliefs.
Also the I volunteered with YWAM in neighboring Chico, CA, the church’s teachings and presence had significant influence on our location and other NorCal locations especially south of Redding. I recall fellow volunteers in my YWAM location and others make reference to their materials ( don’t’ recall the Physics book though,) but some of it did seem to steer towards new age. I would even hear about YWAM folks set up booths at new age festivals and inviting us to join.
Thank you, Mike, for such a clear analysis. 25 years ago I taught a course on the links between neo-charismatics and the New Age. It’s only gotten worse. Back then you had to prove the links by example and argument. Now Bethel is saying the quiet part out loud.
I'm in southern Oregon and when Bill started up Bethel
he moved from a little town Weaverville, which I was raised in. Anyway I did go to Bethel quite a few times to see people like Rick Joiner, John Paul Jones, ect. It has become a crazy town now and the worst is that it's tentacles reached into a small 4 square church in Medford. It's Living Waters now and growing minute by minute into the octopus of Bethel.. the people that I went to church with that have chosen to stay have lost their minds. It makes me sick and sad. I wish I could do more.. Pray and fast is all I can think about.
🙏🏻🇨🇦💞sending prayers
As someone who has been used in the gifts of the Spirit on a few occasions you cannot just imagine or will yourself to do it. In fact everytime God has used me to give an interpretation, prophecy or vision I always basically double check with the Lord before I give it. And for an interpretation of a tongue or a prophecy I usually only have a minute to realize it's about to happen and he only ever gives a word or short sentence before I feel the urge to speak and after you say the one work or sentence the rest just flows out of you. I have no way to control or predict what I will say it's a very bizarre experience but very powerful. It's not at all something I could or would want to do on demand
This does not sound like NT examples of tongues. At Pentecost, the Disciples used real languages of the day and it was understood by the various peoples of different nations at the time. Similarly, I Corinthians gives explicit parameters as to how speaking in tongues were to be used. There is no indication that there is some mystical, out of body experience that is used by the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul makes a point of saying that tongues are the lesser of spiritual gifts and will pass away. We have the complete written Canon of Scripture. we have everything God wanted us to know. In fact, we know that private interpretation of scripture is forbidden. Please pray and Dj God for guidance on this topic. Scripture tells us that this is not as profitable or edifying as other gifts.
@@sweetgirl1963 we follow the parameters set out in Acts when it comes to the gift of tongues and interpretation. Everyone who received the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts spoke in tongues and it does not indicate that they then had an interpreter for those tongues. And Paul was talking of when that which is perfect has come (AKA Jesus returning for the second time) then all spiritual gifts (tongues and prophecy) will cease. We will have no need of spiritual gifts once Jesus returns. Thank you for your comment but I understand doctrine and will not be arguing about it with a stranger in the comments.
I agree with this. I cannot say that it happens at will. When God speaks (and it’s not all the time) I know it is his voice. It’s also not always convenient, so idk how people are prophesying in churches for hours on end. I don’t fully get that
And in my experience when a tongue is interpreted it is always points to scripture and you are able to judge the message according to the Word.
Thank you Mike, may the Lord bless you! Appreciate this!
This is such a helpful video - it's embarrassing to think that I've participated in these practices without even knowing it. I'm so glad God is opening my eyes to His truth and false prophets. 🙌
I left my church community almost 20 years ago because of all these issues. People have real problem and we are called to give them love in the form of food, shelter, cold water and the truthful hope that all things will be made right at the second coming. We aren’t bringing the kingdom without the King. We are preparing hearts and patiently enduring in love. I still haven’t found a church community that feels dedicated to the truth. Even the less frenzied ones seem to have a disconnect when it comes to the truth of suffering. It’s getting dark out there ya’ll. Keep your eyes on Jesus and pray for the genuine fruits of the Holy Spirit to be evident in your life. Do good. Do good. Do good. That is what people need. True Righteous is his name.
We left a church after 38 yrs and, yes, it does take time to find a new church home. As we visited churches, our discernment "radar" was on hyper-alert for any issues that might be a warning sign. Our criteria for a "good: church was: (1) are multiple Bible passages (not just a verse) read aloud in worship from a respected Bible translation (not the Passion version); (2) is the (male) pastor teaching directly from God's Word; (3) is what's being taught Biblically accurate, not twisted, kooky "Bethel-like" stuff; and (4) do we leave worship feeling we've been fed a spiritual meal with meat vs cotton-candy fluff. No church here on earth is perfect, but I pray God will help you find a community of believers with which to worship our Lord and King!
Thank you for this video. I have been talking about this as my friends are still influenced by BSSM. People think I’m being extreme and exaggerative with these claims but it’s plain as day when you read the books.
Mike, I hope you'll see this question. Can I translate this video into Polish and share it? These teachings spread in my country like an infection! Your video can help many people here! (I'll attach the link to this video and your website, of course). May I?
Their desire for spiritual movement is more important than the careful handling of The Word of God.
WELL SAID Pastor Mike
Amen, we are called to warn people of false teaching .. I thank God for you Mike Winger
I also am blessed to have left this movement after God put doubt into my heart and led my family out of this dangerous movement . In part thanks to multiple studies with Mike online and being fed truth my eyes were opened to truth and the importance of knowing the bible. Thank you.
Thankyou for being willing to be used to protect the body of Christ.
Thank you, Pastor Mike, for bringing this information to us. I see how much work you've put into this, and it is greatly appreciated. Please keep informing people who watch your videos of the false teachers in the Body of Christ in these last days. 2 Peter 2.